Sorry friends if I haven’t been visiting you all in a while. I took a break and just enjoyed some precious time with my family. I also sought the Lord as sometimes, I felt lagging with my walk with Him. I knew it was time for me to get that needed break and let Him rejuvenate me.
As I go back to work tonight, back to the darkness that goes on day in, day out behind those thick prison walls, I am reminded of this precious air of freedom I enjoy here outside. What a great way to remember July 4, Independence Day, than to think about the gift of freedom Jesus had given us. Freedom that is not confined in a space. Nor short-lived. Freedom that can not be divided. Freedom that cannot be taken away once we accept it. Freedom that makes us see the truth that we do not belong to this world. To realize that truth that we have brothers and sisters inside the prison system. That we have brothers and sisters facing death in those dangerous nations when they preach the Good News to those who haven’t heard about the Lord Jesus. That we are all children of God and must be living in unity instead of having divisions among His body.
“So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.” - Galatians 5:1
Christ indeed set us free! But not to do whatever we want because that makes us go back into slavery to our selfish desires. Instead, we must live unselfishly.
This past vacation my family and I had, we wanted to go to those favorite places we loved. Like camping by the beaches. Kayaking. We even planned to go to Ronald Reagan’s library. But we didn’t have those opportunity. However, we were filled with unexplainable joy just by being together.
It was because we enjoy more than what we know here in USA: freedom of speech, freedom of religion, etc…We enjoy the true freedom that comes from Christ alone: freedom from sin, freedom from its eternal consequences, freedom from hopelessness and despair and freedom from death.
I truly admired and liked the way President Ronald Reagan had led this nation during his term. He came in when the economy was not at its best. But he was able to overcome all those challenges and showed his great leader ability, though he was an actor. I didn’t see him as an actor. I didn’t see him as a president. I saw him as a man of God, who always revealed his trust and faith in One God and Who made him to be who he was at that time: a great president! God bless you all and may you remember what Christ had done for each of us not only on July 4, but in everyday of our lives. To God be the glory!
30 DAYS OF THANKSGIVING - 14
8 hours ago
This was a GREAT post Rosel and AMEN to every word of it. We are soo blessed indeed...May God bless the USA and may we all know and appreciate the freedoms we enjoy everyday. And your soo right...the freedom we have in
ReplyDeleteChrist is the very best of all. Have a wonderful 4th of July with your family. HUGS, Debbie
I miss having a leader like Ronald Reagan.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you had time to get filled up again with God's goodness and family time. Blogging can always wait.
Have a wonderful Independence Day weekend. Drop by my blog when you can I have several posts I'd like to share with you including a RECIPE EXCHANGE!
These are great thoughts about freedom! I appreciate Reagan today more than ever. So glad you had a rest with the family and with the Lord.
ReplyDeleteHugs & prayers,
Mary
I watched a lengthy documentary about all that happened during RR's presidency. He was truly great. I am praying for our leaders to hear and obey the voice of the Living God.
ReplyDeleteglad you were able to take time with your family...and regain strength. Happy July 4th and freedom....means so much now...in Him. Take gentle care.
ReplyDeleteAlthough we are becoming secular as a nation, our Christian Heritage can not be denied (some attempt to do so in media now).
ReplyDeleteBut Christ said: I AM the Way, the Light, the TRUTH"....and neither Christ nor Truth shall be denied.
I watched the video above in silence and recalled the innocent days in NYC shown. Having lived several years in Bethlehem, PA, I found it a quick ride into NYC via Staten Island from NJ.
The parking was way cheaper there than in Manhattan, and the ferry across NY harbor (in the video, and where the Statue of Liberty can be seen on every ferry ride) is FREE!
You see this ferry every night as an opener to David Letterman. Entry into Manhattan takes you into canyons of buildings, and a few blocks up is Ground Zero from 9/11/2001.
To the east a few blocks is St. Paul's Chapel, a church that should have been destroyed by collapsing Trade Towers, that damaged all other buildings nearby, but the church was saved by a sycamore tree planted eons ago via Godly inspiration to an unknown person....just to save that church that day. God knew of the future need for protection of his church!
Members of St. Paul's Chapel went on to minister to the workers at Ground Zero over the next nine months as they searched for life, then bodies, then souls until exhausted.
St Paul's was built well inland from the NY harbor, as an oasis of peace, BEFORE our nation was born. Those few blocks inland are now canyons of tall buildings and commerce.
I stood at the base of the missing sycamore tree that saved St. Paul's Chapel and was surprised at the rich history of the church.
When George Washington took his oath of office as first president, our capitol was not in DC, but in NYC. That morning, he went to church well inland from the commerce at the docks at NY harbor, to pray....to lead a new nation, under God.
He knelt down to pray....at St. Paul's Chapel, went out, and took the oath of office.
As I looked at that video here, St. Paul's would be to the left shoulder of the Statue of Liberty.
All of the memorabilia seen on TV from 9/11 is housed in St. Paul's Chapel, but my favorite is a homemade flag, done by children...future leaders of our land.
They dipped their hands in paint, some red, white , and some blue. Children's handprints ran in a row of red, then a row of white, and the stripes were formed. Children's handprints make up the stars as well.
The flag is HUGE and drapes from the balcony of the church.
I visited often as it is not far from Bethlehem (ironic, eh?) and a church service took place at 11:30 on one of the days there. The sermon was out of Isaiah and called "The Holy Innocents".
On the Fouth of July, NYC lights extensive firworks display up and down the Hudson on the west, and the East River to the east of Manhattan. Though the explosive fireworks display up and down two rivers, with the Tall Ships everywhere, the explosive TRUTH of Jesus Christ lights the world always, not just for an eve.
Bask in your freedom this weekend....
your freedom in Christ!
Powerful President he was indeed. People did not give him enough credit. Thanks for sharing Rosel. Blessings and Happy 4th.
ReplyDeletePraying for you sis as you return back to work, love you.
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th to you and yours. I am glad you took a break. Sometime we just need some rest and relaxation. You have a difficult job. God Bless You! Anne
ReplyDeleteTo God be the Glory! Great things He hath done!
ReplyDeleteI pray FAVOR on you as you return to work tonight!! God's FAVOR! May it come to you in surprising ways. May you feel His hand upon you as you walk through the GATE. May God's blessings and restoration follow your every footstep!
God bless
Patrina <")>><
His watchman on the wall
Expecting His return!
Breaks are good. Wishing you a happy Fourth!
ReplyDeleteKnowing that our true home is in Heaven gives us an "eternal perspective" of our Father putting each of us on this Earth "for such a time as this" for a purpose - His holy purpose as our Christian walk is being journeyed in its light, labored in its hope. May the Lord refresh you and strengthen you, sister in Christ.
ReplyDeleteRosel, So glad you were able to relax and enjoy some family time. As always I love reading your posts.
ReplyDeleteDid you get to enjoy any wine? hee-hee. I mean coffee, lol. Love you, Audrey
Happy 4th July to you. It's always good to remember our freedom :)
ReplyDeleteThe land of the free and the home of the brave - we need more presidents like Ronald Reagan! How anyone would even want to ignore the Christ heritage of this nation baffles me! It is what has made of noble, free and prosperous!
ReplyDeleteThe land of the free and the home of the brave - we need more presidents like Ronald Reagan! How anyone would even want to ignore the Christ heritage of this nation baffles me! It is what has made of noble, free and prosperous!
ReplyDelete