Freedom & Joy

Here is a question that wears on my heart from time to time. I wonder, why, as a Christian, is it so difficult to walk in the freedom and joy that were suppose to have. One observation I've made in the past 9 years is that, a lot of my Bible believing friends struggle with bouts of depression, more so, it seems than my other friends. It just seems that, that should not be the case. The Bible talks about this great joy and freedom and even I seem to struggle in walking in this daily. Sometimes I think, it is no wonder no one is all that interested in giving their life to Christ, because if it sucks all the joy out of life than why bother?. With that being said, I have been reading in Galatians and having an incredible time. I feel like this morning God has shown me a glimpse into the questions I struggle with and given me a picture to help me understand a little better.

Here is the scripture: Galatians 2:16 "yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified."
Galatians 3:28-29 "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ;s, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise."
Galatians 4:6 "And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God."


So hence, my questions and struggles. And then God shows me the picture of the other part of His promise to Israel, the land. For years and years people have battled to take their land from them and the battle still goes on today. (I am not up to speed necessarily in the geography of who reigns over the exact land that God promised Abraham, all I know is that the Muslims say it is theres and for centuries Israel has been the center of tug-a-war for many different people groups.) With that being said, no matter what it belongs to Israel because God said it was theres. Same with us, who have given ourselves to Christ. We are His, but there is a battle that goes on daily or better yet moment to moment to put us in bondage or suck the joy out of our walk with the Lord. So, with out a doubt, we will bounce from time to time in and out of joy and freedom as Israel has, but no matter what I am His and the truth is I have freedom and joy, even when it doesn't feel like it. PTL

Today I have a new understanding of Ephesians 6:11-20:
"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand firm. Stand therefor, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and as the shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the work of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To the end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak."

And so I will go and walk upright and boldly, with freedom and joy, knowing who I am. Heir and Ambassador for Christ!!!!
Thank you Jesus for this sweet freedom, there is nothing else like it.
Blessings and Happy Halloween,
Your Royal Hines, Connie

Sol/On the other side

I look out at the faces of women and wonder....
What there morning was like just before they got here?
How is their marriage, is she sure of his commitment to her?
Is she just tired of trying to make everything work?
Does she worry about her weight, what she should wear, and how her hair looks?
Does she drink to numb the hurts that have been dished out to her?
Has anyone told her "thank you" lately?
Does she wonder that if she wasn't there, would anyone notice or care?
Is she ready to throw in the towel?
Is she sick of having the same fight with her husband over and over?
Do they struggle like I do?
They all look so together.
Do I have anything to really offer them?
And then it happens. The chatter in the room of real women, who are not very different from me at all, and I am strengthen and encouraged to be able to offer them hope.
By:Connie

Thanks for those of you who prayed for me. It was a blessing to be on the panel and it went well and I am looking forward to how God will use the things that were said.
Praise God for His great care.
Blessings,
Connie

Please Pray for Me!!

Next week I will be part of a panel of 4 women answering questions on "Having a Balanced Life". My part of life that I will be addressing is "Marriage". I have to chuckle a little to think, that I'm going to be giving advice. Hopefully, our weekend will be a good one, so that I will come across as hopeful and not that it is always a chore!!!! LOL
Anyways~if you would lift me up before God and ask that he would guide my words and that I would have ideas that would be very practical for them to use within their marriages.
Thanks Ahead of Time,
Connie

"No plans of yours can be thwarted." Job 42:2

Here is my 1st "Memory Memoirs". I have been getting nudges lately from the Holy Spirit and through God's word that he wants me to "go there", so this is where we went this week.

The other day I got all up in my teenage child's "grill", so to speak. I found myself wildly upset when it was brought to my attention, from another well meaning child of mine that he cut down the tree swing of his brothers, that we just put up this past weekend. Aside from the fact he was up on the top step of the ladder with a giant hedge clippers, there really was not to much of a reason for me to be upset. His motive was to move it so it would be farther out on the branch, to help prevent anyone from further injury. I knew all of this, but I was still so frustrated with the whole situation. I will spare you the details of our "nose to nose" confrontation that erupted. He made a comment to me and it sent me way back and all of a sudden it was as if time stood still and I could hear myself saying the same thing to my parents. His words were, " I hate my life. You don't know what its like. I have so much pressure and I don't need this from you."
My reply, needless to say will not earn me "Mom of the Year", but it was, "Don't tell me I don't understand what it's like. Don't forget, I didn't have a home where both my parents were, and so I was forced to grow up quickly, plus I still had the pressures that teenagers face. I do know what it is like and I remember the pressure that your talking about."

Which brings me to 3rd grade or there about. I was escorted out of my class, I think it was art. I can't remember who took me, but they were friendly as we walked down the hall. Maybe she told me where we were going but, I do remember that when they took me into this small, stuffy, warm, bright room, I must have been the last to arrive and I felt surprised and a little nervous not knowing what to expect, in spite of the woman's friendliness.
About 5 other kids, whom were all younger than I was, were all sitting in a circle and our guidance counselor "2 tall Jones" was also sitting on the floor with his long legs all tangled up in "Indian Style" fashion.
I think we went around the circle and said our name and age or something like that, and I began to feel more comfortable, and then it wasn't long they started to talk about "Divorce". I'm not sure that I realized at this point in my life that my parents were split for good. You see, my Dad worked some shift work and so did my Mom and so they kind of flip flopped and my Mom would come when my Dad was gone, although I did know my Mom had an apartment that I got to visit. So sitting in this small group seemed to make it official.
We were the only kids in the whole school who had, "Divorced" parents, and so we were "special". They told us that it wasn't our fault and that our parents still loved us. That was nice, but why did you have to pull me out of art class, I already knew that.
And so it goes. I think I have wore the tag, "Divorced Parents, poor me!" around since that time in 3rd grade. Never really realized it, until I went nose to nose with my child. It's about time I take it off and surrender the self-pity and the hurt that comes with parents splitting. I wonder though, what life would have been like if those well meaning people would have left me in art class and just let my parents, parent me.

Oh Lord, heal the hurt that still lingers in my heart from when my parents divorced and thank you for their deep love for me in the midst of it. Thank you for filling the longing I have had for a complete family, in giving me my own. Forgive me for all the times I play that "poor me" card, intentional or not. I know now that I wasn't alone during that time and that your plan was not for harm, but for good. Lord, help me to not exasperate these children that you have trusted me with. Thank you for a heart that is sensitive to others who face the reality of divorce.
In His Care,
Connie