reading acts today, came across the story where some of the apostles were put in jail and in the middle of the night, they were freed by an angel and told to go the the temple courts and "tell the people the full message of this new life."
why is it so hard to give life?
at church, pastor ted talks about the difference between living in the tree of good and evil and living in the tree of life. in one, you see people through the eyes of constant earthly evaluation, and through the other, you see christ. it's like in 2 cor 5 when it says we no longer look at people in the flesh. why is it so hard to live in the tree of life? oh yeah, we are fallen, sinful and depraved, but is that good enough of an excuse when you are supposed to have christ in you?
where are you on the pendulum? closer to seeing things through good and evil, or life? i feel like i dish out the good and evil. i long so much to be given life, but i struggle so with giving it. i remember when the song 'i am free' came out, i didn't like it. then the newsboys started doing it and i still didn't like it. it got to the point i could here the holy spirit telling me i should like this song, so i asked God, "why don't i like this song?" clear as day, i heard God say to me in my head....
BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT FREE!
it hurt to hear that. but it was true. to a certain extent, it still is true. but not as true.
God give me freedom and the ability to give freedom. God, give me life, and the ability to give life.
i have always felt the same way about that song. and in reading this post, i just had a "light bulb" moment. i have learned that those who aren't free will always despise those who are. i have been on both sides of that. may your prayer be true in me as well.
Posted by: kate zuccarello | October 28, 2006 at 08:14 PM
there is a theme going here in blogosphere for me...
on en gedi i just posted the question "when was the last time you sang at the top of your lungs?" and i have been sitting here for the past hour trying to remember...and then wondering why...
out in the world - outside the christian community i have a much easier time seeing from the tree of life... not as much within "the walls of the church"... why is that?
thanks for this.
i am free!!! to dance...run...live for my King!
Posted by: Juli Reynolds | October 29, 2006 at 08:03 PM
Lately I have been swinging more to the life side of the pendulum. A lot more than I have my whole life. When God reveals who a person is in Him and who they are going to be in Him, any earthly crap they do to you - directly or indirectly - isn't given a thought. The flesh is the flesh and always will be until that person is changed by the only one who can do it. And even then don't expect change because God has His own time table! It is an eye opening thing to learn. You also learn more about your self and who you are and where you are at with God.
I would also say that I love the "I am free" song. I know I am not completely free yet, but at least I can dance in church! (A huge change for those that know me)
Gregg, I love you and have been thinking about you!
Posted by: Zellina | October 31, 2006 at 01:41 PM