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Choosing Freedom in a Sinful World
Happy Independence Day to all of my fellow American readers and followers! And of course, a big hello to those from other countries who are reading this post. I’m so glad you’re here 🙂 Today is a celebration of summer, the birth of America, and more importantly, of freedom. When it comes to the word freedom, many images come to our minds. We picture fireworks and family cookouts. We see soldiers sacrificing everything, including their lives, in order to protect our country. While all of these images are beautiful and accurate for the American Independence Day, true freedom goes beyond even our patriotic celebrations. In order to understand what freedom…
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The Truth About Shame
I have a confession to make. I am twenty-three years old, and am just learning how to drive. It’s a huge victory in my battle with a chronic illness that prevented me from driving. But it’s also a struggle. Learning to drive isn’t easy–at least not for me (and not for the poor souls who help me practice). And to be honest, it makes me anxious. Though I am getting better with every lesson, I still feel a terrible, self-defeating feeling that shrouds me in darkness. I’m talking about shame. The Poison of Shame Merriam-Webster defines shame as “a painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt, shortcoming, or impropriety.” This feeling,…
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The Spirit of Freedom
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV). God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit of creation that makes miracles and saves, is what we receive upon salvation. That’s right–the very Spirit of our Lord resides within us, and in Him we find freedom and perfect love! Before salvation our spirit was crushed and devastated by sin, but Jesus’ blood has cleansed us and made us pure. We are now free from the chains and bondage of sin. It does not matter what you went through or what lies ahead, because God is always there to guide you and…