Are You Free?

Today I was talking with a gentleman who is currently an inmate in a correctional facility.  He made a statement that really sinked into my spirit.  He said "I am free on the inside, just not free on the outside".  I told him that there are many people in the world who are free on the outside (free to come and go as they choose) but bound by the chains of sin on the inside (spiritually walking around in sin's prison).  This gentleman spends most of his time locked in a correctional facility, but that doesn't mean he is not free.  If his heart is right with God, he is free regardless of where he lives! 

I am thankful for my national freedom that I am priviledged with in this country. I am thankful to those who have played a part in making it all possible. I am thankful that I can go to the House of God and worship my Savior freely and my heart goes out to those in other countries who aren't blessed with the same freedom. Things are happening in this country that I know that God is not pleased with and it is my heart's cry for America to turn back to God. I am proud to be an American and I am proud to proclaim that IN GOD I DO STILL TRUST!!


When I think of freedom, I realize that it is a state of personal independence. That may be the case on a national level, but spiritually in the eyes of God we are not free apart from Christ. The day I asked Jesus into my heart to forgive me of my sins was the day I experienced what it really means to be free! Thank You Jesus for my FREEDOM!!!

John 8:36
So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.

My Dream Come True

In August 2007, I started my study through the CAPS program at Lee University to pursue a B.S. Degree in Christian Ministry (Pastoral Studies).  I actually started my registration at another college and was in preparation of furthering my A.A.S. Degree in Business Administration to pursue a B.S. Degree in Accounting.  However, God had different plans for my life and how it all happened is really like a blur to me.  As I followed the path God laid out before me, He allowed my dreams to come true.  It was my dream to go to Lee University after graduating high school, but I never saw that dream fulfilled.  I knew my family couldn't afford to send me away to college, so I placed that dream on the back-burner so to speak.  However, God never ceases to amaze me.  Psalm 37:4 (NIV) says "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart".  That is exactly what God did for me. 

I didn't pursue a deeper education to become "somebody special", I am already "somebody special" in the eyes of my Father.  I started this journey to pursue a deeper knowledge of God's Word and to learn as much as I could to be an effective disciple of Jesus Christ.  In the first few months, God began to deal with my heart and ask things of me I felt I was not capable or equipped to do.  I still feel I am not, which is good, because as long as I do what I "CAN" do, God will make up for what I "CANNOT" do.  I accepted the call of God upon my life to minister His Word and it is my heart's desire now to do all that He requires of me.  I Can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Phil. 4:13)  My next goal is to obtain my ministerial credentials through the Church of God.  As I walked across the stage on May 7, 2011 I could feel my Heavenly Father looking down upon me with pride, knowing my dream had come true.  I couldn't have done it without Him, and I know I wouldn't have even been in the program to begin with had it not been for His guidance in the process.  My promise to God :   "Where YOU Lead Me I WILL FOLLOW!!"  To God Be the Glory!!!

Thanks-"Living"

Thanksgiving Day is approaching this week and as I was thinking this morning I looked up the word "thanksgiving" in the dictionary. One of the definitions reads "A day set apart for giving thanks to God". It is on this day that you will hear many give thanks for their family and friends, their homes, their life and the many other blessings God so graciously gives to us. It is good that this day is set apart, because some would probably never stop to give thanks otherwise.

However, when I think of all that God has done for me, the life He so freely gives, the atoning sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for my salvation, setting aside one day to give thanks could never show true "thankfulness". No greater way could I express my gratitude to God than "living" a life of thanks. How do you live a life of thanks? You live your life for Jesus, set apart to Him in obedience to His Word, every second, every minute and every day of your life. I want to celebrate this day of Thanksgiving with family and friends I love so dear, but even more I want to live a life of "Thanks-living" for the one who gave His life for me.