"Once we clearly acknowledge the soul, we can learn to hear it's cries. - Dallas Willard, Renovation Of The Heart."

It takes courage to pursue our dreams. It takes time and patience to unearth buried treasure. But I believe with all my heart that we must do both.

8.11.2009

Freedom

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery". (Galatians 5:1)

"Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you". (the message)

I like this verse. Partly because it says I am free. I really like that because I hate rules!!!
But it is not saying that I am free to do any ole thing I please. It does say I do not have to live by what others think a Christian should do or not do. I do not have to be a people please-er. Only a God please-er. On the one hand that is easy, on the other hand it is hard. In my own strength I tend to do what my flesh, my old nature wants to do. But there is a strength in me, not my own that enables me to live the life God has called me to live. The tricky part is learning to exercise that strength. Learning to disengage from the things that keep me in bondage. We all have them, they are different for each of us. It is a daily ongoing process. Some days I do okay, some days I fail miserably. God loves me and us the same on both days.

Blessings!

6 comments:

ellie said...

Ah! love it.....both the post and the journal pages. Just figured out I could "click to enlarge" the picture, so I'm pretty excited that I got to read the butterflies! lol These are definitely keepers, Mar!

Mary S. Hunt said...

these pages are profound and beautiful!
the background catches my attention right away
first i love this color combination then i like the contemporary feel
and the hint of texture...it might just be shadow play but it speaks of texture just the same
lovely!

Stacy Lee said...

I love what you said here:
"It does say I do not have to live by what others think a Christian should do or not do. I do not have to be a people please-er. Only a God please-er."
God has been teaching me this very thing the past month or so! Thanks for the confirmation! The artwork is beautiful-- you truly are gifted!

Sandra Hall said...

Hi Mary, Just catching up with blogs - love your last post playing around with the texture. And your FREEDOM post is fantastic too! The art work and the content ... this is a truly inspirational way to speak the word of God into yourself! I've just finished reading Max Lucado's book "Travelling Light" I'm thinking maybe I could adopt a similar approach to consolidate all the good stuff I learned from that.... Sandra x

Poetic Artist said...

Mary, I love what you have written. It so true.
I also love you your art pages..
Your words always make me smile.
Katelen

creativewisdom said...

I do not have to be a people please-er. Only a God please-er. my motto for this week..