Do You Soar Like an Eagle or Fall Like a Brick?

      
        I went to a park the other day with my son's kindergarten class. The park has a small wildlife section that includes two bald eagles.

        After seeing a couple of moms enjoying nachos, with a huge pile of cheese and jalapenos, I decided it was time for a snack. I left the kids with my wife and the other moms and headed for the concession building and the cheesy goodness that awaited me.

        The eagle cage was on the way to the concessions. I was admiring the eagles when a nearby worker started using a drill. The eagle left its perch and began to soar right towards me. That is until it went about five feet. He tumbled awkwardly to the ground hitting a log on the way down.

        The eagle is a prisoner. The enclosure is too small for him to fly. In his moment of panic he forgot the limitations placed on him by his captors.

        If you have not submitted your life to Jesus then you are in captivity to sin. Only Christ can give you freedom from your sin. This is a sad place that everyone finds themselves in. However, what is truly sad is when a believer who has been freed from sin chooses to live in captivity. Unbelievers continually crash due to their lack of freedom and some believers chooses to sit and watch, not realizing that they could actually soar above it all.

        Isaiah 40:31 says, "but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Are you soaring in freedom, living in captivity, or choosing to voluntarily go back into the cage? 
  

Egypt is Free. Are You?

      Egypt took its first steps toward freedom yesterday as President Mubarak voluntarily called it quits after 18 days of protests by Egyptians.  The protesters were calling for an end to dictatorship and a beginning for Democracy. As the events unfolded, I, like many Americans, watched in disbelief.
     
      I was reminded of when our former President, George W. Bush, said, "As long as the Middle East remains a place where freedom does not flourish, it will remain a place of stagnation, resentment and violence ready for export." Before anyone thinks that Randumblog is toeing any particular party line, I will also quote President Obama, who said, “And I know that a democratic Egypt can advance its role of responsible leadership not only in the region but around the world".
      
      I am excited to see this freedom taking place in Egypt and around the world. Today people in Algeria and Yemen held similar protests. We could be seeing the start of a peace movement in the Middle East  (cue the doomsday preachers). 
     
      These countries have had dictator after dictator with little change and no freedom. It reminds me of the journey each one of us is on regardless of our type of government. We are all slaves to our nature. The Bible calls it sin. It is a desire to choose our way over God's way. Even when we think we have overcome a particular sin a new dictator (sin) will step up and rule our life demanding our time and attention.
     
      When Jesus died, He ultimately defeated this enemy for anyone that will finally realize that we do not need a new dictator. We need freedom. He offers that freedom. Many of us have already protested our sin by appointing a new ruler over our lives, leaving our old dictator out of power. This does not stop sin from trying to make a political comeback in our lives, but it does stop it from attaining its goal of complete power over us. Jesus said, "Whoever the Son sets free is free indeed."

      What about you? Are you still living under an autocratic rule, or have you opted for a life of freedom? Political peace may change aspects of the way you live, but Christ changes who you are from the inside out. Do you really want to see change in this world? God wants to not only have a relationship with you, but to work through you to love others as He brings hope to His fallen creation. It is as simple as turning from your sin to Him (you will be forgiven because Christ's death paid the penalty). Tell God you are ready to follow Him and He will begin a relationship with you that will continue even after death (we have hope because Jesus was  raised from the dead). 
      
      Many of my readers are already believers, but some of you are not. I implore those of you who have not accepted Him, to choose FREEDOM from serving the same old masters, and find rest for your soul.


The pictures in this post were made exclusively for Randumblog by Laura at 
Strengthening the Chain in California

Believers do not have "Freedom of Speech"

When I write a title like "Believers do not have Freedom of Speech", Christians will open my blog expecting to say "Amen brother, we are losing our freedoms".  That is not what I am driving at today, rather I am hoping to make you think.  If you are not a believer in Jesus than this blog will not apply to you but you are welcome to read on.  If you are a Christian than  read and listen carefully.  We who follow Jesus are called to give up certain freedoms.  The first is our "right" to be in charge "you are bought with a price . . .", "lay down your life, pick up your cross".  

Actually let me start from the beginning so that you will understand my rant.  I was enjoying a Caramel High Rise Cooler at Caribou Coffee this morning when I caught part of a conversation going on beside me.  The people involved had just finished up a prayer meeting and are from a great local church that has my respect.  What I am saying is that there was no doubt to anyone present, that these were Christians.  Their conversation turned to the present economy, with one gentleman saying sarcastically that President Obama said that the recession is over.  That is when the lady next to him proclaimed, rather loudly, "Obama is an idiot!". 

Good, now you are caught up to speed.  Now I can begin.  First of all, as an American she had the right to say what she did about a governing ruler, but as a Christian we are called to obey God rather than man.  God calls us to "not let any harsh word come out of our mouths," as well as "respect the powers that be."  It is time for Christians to voice their concerns without malice.  We can disagree without stooping to hateful rhetoric.  We should not be referring to our President as "Obama" or "Barack".  He is "President Obama" and should receive a great deal more respect from believers than from anywhere else.  Remember that the lost will know we are believers by "our love for one another" and by "seeing our good works and glorifying our father who is in heaven."                        

If you are an American you have the right to worship whatever god you want and say what you want  about who you want.  If you are a believer you need to realize that you are free in Christ, but free from sin and not free to sin.  We may not worship any god we want or speak words that tear others down, especially our leaders.  Remember that under Caesar, Jesus called for obedience, and even in slavery, Paul called for obedience.  We must be Jesus to this world. This will not happen if we retain this partisan, anti anyone who disagrees with us attitude.  These three remain Faith, Hope and Love but the greatest of these is Love.  What the world needs now is Love, Love, LOVE!