freedom and fathers

John 8:36 NLT

So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.

Today we celebrate freedom and fathers. Freedom is one of those things we take for granted, and it has so many facets to it. It could speak of prison. It can speak of oppression. It can speak of inner turmoil and so much more.

In 1863 in our nation a declaration was made to free slaves in the the United States of America. Yet as I read in an interesting article yesterday there were parts of the nation that did not hear about this for two years.

In other words there were still people living without freedom who were declared free. Live as free people! But until you know know you are free you can can not do that. Celebrate freedom! You cannot celebrate until you know and live free.

My prayer is that we will celebrate the freedom given in the past, and we will also know the freedom that comes to us through God. He frees us from sin. He frees us from shame. He frees us to live in a way that has meaning and can have strengthen and can make a difference.

Choose freedom. Pray for freedom for those who do not have it. Celebrate freedom for yourself and others who know it so very well.

We also celebrate this weekend fathers. Sunday is Father’s Day! I am blessed. My dad was an incredible man, a blessing to our family and to my life. I miss him so much as he passed away almost 3 years ago. I celebrate my son in laws today. One is a father and one who will be a father in a few weeks. I am grateful for them.

Be a man who celebrates and lives in the freedom and truth that God gives. As I closed out yesterday in my mind a verse kept coming back to my mind, and in that verse Jesus says “I was born for this”. Praise God for why Jesus was sent for us. He gives us freedom. God gives us life. He is our father.

John 18:37 CSB

“You are a king then?” Pilate asked. “You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

Truth! Hear the voice of Jesus reminding us of the truth. Let’s celebrate freedom and fathers today and this weekend!

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

wash feet, sharing hope

John 13:4-5,14 NLT So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow. He served. He valued and gave value to others. That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet. It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives. Jesus said we should do this. See the verse above. Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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