tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298314922024-03-07T14:58:56.418-08:00FreedAaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15064276870395216831noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29831492.post-82559131426981640342009-01-26T09:04:00.000-08:002009-01-26T09:05:22.374-08:00A ThoughtIt's always easier to start something - than to see it through to its end.<br /><br />(case in point - this blog) :)Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15064276870395216831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29831492.post-56588796919063757732008-11-10T18:04:00.000-08:002008-11-10T18:23:48.604-08:00The Gift of a Clean ConscienceThere are countless gifts which the Lord has bestowed on His children. None so freeing and pure than the clean conscience.<br /><br />All has been forgiven and the believer is at rest. The saint is pursuing righteousness. He may stumble now and again, but the overriding and default position is in a pursuit of righteousness in Christ.<br /><br />This is where he can find himself totally free. In the arms of his Savior, forgiven and loved. No longer a slave to that which made him blind.<br /><br /><em>Lord - thank you for helping your children to see again. </em>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15064276870395216831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29831492.post-184871737332756142008-10-21T19:00:00.000-07:002008-10-21T19:21:40.197-07:00Freedom to Question?More known for his side role in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Ben Stein offers an interesting and fair look into the academic science world with his movie <a href="http://www.expelledthemovie.com/"><em>Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed</em></a>.<br /><br />He investigates several science educators "expelled" from their job and shunned from the academic world for citing intelligent design or suggesting plausibilities within ID. Stein uncovers a world within academia that is vehemently opposed to the teaching of ID as an alternative to Darwinism.<br /><br />An interesting discovery Stein makes in his documentary is that the cell Darwin discovered in his time would pale to the cell discovered today. Meaning, the scientific evidence at our disposal today actually sheds light on Darwin's theory - and as a result, begins to poke holes in it.<br /><br />While many scientists agree that Darwin made valuable contribution to science, a growing number of them are beginning to question his "leap of faith" in trying to determine the "origins of the species" and how he made assumptions on life "progressing".<br /><br />With the knowledge of irreducibile complexity and further study into the structure of cells, <em>Expelled</em> questions what the real motives might be behind leaders in academia.<br /><br />Is it to preserve science? Or, to quelch sincere questioning that might undermine a belief system?Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15064276870395216831noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29831492.post-47729224915376508652008-09-23T17:49:00.000-07:002008-09-23T18:24:29.661-07:00Moving Toward a Pain and Risk-free SocietyI can't pretend to know all that has conspired to cause the government's decision to bail-out Wall Street. But, what I can deduct, is that many who risked unresponsibly and failed, may not have to pay the price of their failings.<br /><br />Today, we can go to a dentist - have a cavity filled and experience no pain. We can go to work, get paid - while sometimes not exerting any real "effort" or toil. We can get married, and after some time, free ourselves from the discomfort of "dealing" with each other and file for divorce.<br /><br />To be sure - I am not a lover of pain. Nor, do I advocate an aesetic lifestyle. But there is something peculiar when we do not experience the pain of life. When there is no punishment for bad choices or foolish behavior. When we opt for the comfortable all the time, to avoid pain (even when that pain is the means to our growth).<br /><br />In <a href="http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Acts+14">Acts</a>, we read that Paul went about preaching the idea that "through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God". And we know that our Savior - Jesus Christ, was not immune to suffering or pain.<br /><br />Should we be above pain? Don't we already know that it's through trials where we have seen the hand of God and felt His presence most keenly?<br /><br /><em>Lord, help me, so that I do not begrudge my own pains - but through them, I might lean more and more on your saving right hand.</em>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15064276870395216831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29831492.post-35838284723383417652008-08-31T19:22:00.000-07:002008-08-31T19:29:08.886-07:00The Heart GaspI was on the bus sitting next to an older woman - and the discussion turned to her love of sailing. She told me how she was once very passionate about sailing - and that everytime she sailed - her heart "gasped", as if in awe.<br /><br />She relayed to me that she never has that sense anymore. Save for one thing:<br /><br />"When I look around me, at creation, my heart gasps. It's so beautiful."<br /><br />To imagine that God's artistry in the outdoors may only be a hint at what he has in store for the new earth.<br /><br />Wow!Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15064276870395216831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29831492.post-70767844989657531852008-08-26T18:17:00.000-07:002008-08-26T18:21:33.538-07:00What Does God Desire Most III thought it would be good to get some responses from others on this question. Here are some of the responses:<br /><br />"He desires that all would be saved."<br />"He desires that all would love him and obey Him."<br />"He desires Himself."<br /><br />Of all these - and I know that one cannot pressume upon God - I think the last one most resonates with what I read in the bible and within my own soul.<br /><br />While some may pressume it to be arrogant - this is the one desire that only God could maintain and hold - <em>without </em>it being full-of-oneself. Only God could and should desire Himself - most.Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15064276870395216831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29831492.post-30450815251121408622008-07-13T10:43:00.000-07:002008-07-13T10:44:34.401-07:00What Does God Desire Most?This is a big question and one that requires reflection. In my view, it says a lot about your theology - and how you view God.<br /><br />How would you answer?Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15064276870395216831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29831492.post-81930047332957319392008-06-30T09:48:00.001-07:002008-06-30T10:08:02.391-07:00Paul Got AnnoyedIn Acts, chapter 16, we read the following story:<br /><br /><blockquote>As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation." And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour.</blockquote><p>Was it not true what the woman was saying? And why wouldn't Paul like another member of the entourage?</p><p>A couple observations. </p><ol><li>Being this woman had some type of spirit in her, the way in which she was proclaiming the truth was probably with a tinge of spitefulness. Not of glad or happy proclamation - but more likely of vindictiveness.</li><li>Everyone has their "limits" of tolerance. We read that Paul had been putting up with this woman for <em>two days!</em> Can you imagine that? Perhaps what is most amazing is that he put up with it for that long! It was right that Paul finally said, "enough" - and freed the woman.</li></ol><p>What can be learned from this episode in the life of Paul? One key point is the name of Jesus Christ has great power. Use it and proclaim it. Another point is that how we speak truth matters greatly. To tell someone that the result of not believing in Christ will result in an eternity in darkness, with pride and spite in our voices will not be received as truth. It will be perceived as hate.<br /></p><p><em>Lord, help us with broken-hearts proclaim your truths - knowing full well that we are benefactors of your grace and not proprietors of it.</em></p>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15064276870395216831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29831492.post-73432125290630970712008-05-21T19:06:00.000-07:002008-05-21T19:12:30.412-07:007 Things God Has Saved Me FromAbraham Piper recently <a href="http://twentytwowords.com/2008/05/08/10-things-we-dont-mention-in-worship-songs-but-that-im-happy-god-saved-me-from/">wrote</a> a great little list of "10 things we don't mention in worship songs - but that I'm happy God saved me from".<br /><br />I thought I would do my own:<br /><br />1. Myself<br />2. Drugs and alcohol use<br />3. Teenage fatherhood<br />4. Good looks<br />5. Being very popular<br />6. Being wealthy<br />7. Belief in another religionAaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15064276870395216831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29831492.post-59208347094209848582008-05-13T19:56:00.001-07:002008-05-13T19:57:13.293-07:00Is this God's Punishment?A good - balanced <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/video2/video08.html?videoId=319327&sMPlaylistID=">response</a> to the recent catastrophies.Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15064276870395216831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29831492.post-86135261049995871952008-03-17T19:24:00.000-07:002008-03-17T19:32:53.680-07:00On this Age of SkepticismTim Keller, author of <em>The Reason for God</em>, gives an important and effective <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9fmKSwuoDE&">talk</a> on skepticism and belief.<br /><br />HT: <a href="http://www.stevekmccoy.com/reformissionary/">Steve McCoy</a>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15064276870395216831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29831492.post-47639535014397057062008-03-03T19:03:00.001-08:002008-03-03T19:16:04.503-08:00Reverse SlamAt a recent church meeting, two men were being voted on to fill an open deacon position. Ballots were issued to the 27 members of the church and very soon after, counted.<br /><br />"The vote has been tallied, and we have 13 votes for Harold - and 14 for Howard. Close one!"<br /><br />Howard made his way to the front of the church and faced the congregation.<br /><br />"I know that we are in a political season right now and there is a lot of slamming of candidates and mud-slinging. Well, I want to do a reverse slam. I want you all to honor Harold. He is truly a man of God. And, he loves you all. Thanks."<br /><br /><em>Lord, please give us a heart of graciousness when we experience triumph and when we experience loss. Make us humble, and contrite - knowing that all has come from your hand.</em>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15064276870395216831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29831492.post-74520777204318236382008-02-04T18:45:00.000-08:002008-02-04T19:04:54.438-08:00Lincoln: A Humble InstrumentIn his 1863 "Proclamation Appointing a National Fast Day", Abraham Lincoln asserted that American's had taken for granted God's kindness: "We have forgotten the gracious Hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own".<br /><br />Marvin Olasky writes in his article "<em><a href="http://www.worldmag.com/articles/13736">Pilgrim Politician</a></em>" (WORLD, Feb 9/16, 2008), that this proclamation "applied the Old Testament pattern - God's faithfulness, man's forgetfulness, God's discipline - to a new people who had become [to quote Lincoln] 'too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.'"<br /><br /><em>Lord, help us to not become too proud or deceieved that we could presume you never existed.</em>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15064276870395216831noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29831492.post-38280778935398296502008-01-31T16:25:00.000-08:002008-01-31T16:28:04.739-08:00Only With God Can We See"God is like the sun; you cannot look at it, but without it, you cannot look at anything else."<br /><br />G.K. ChestertonAaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15064276870395216831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29831492.post-10006588751958219102007-12-10T19:34:00.000-08:002007-12-10T20:06:35.177-08:00The Fixed PointApologist Ravi Zacharias tells this story of a woman who was in her car, stuck in traffic. Bored, the woman looks down and begins reading a newspaper. In no time at all - and out of the corner of her eye - she senses that her car is moving...or, is it the car next to her that is moving? She looks up, disillusioned, and quickly focuses her attention to a light post on the sidewalk - a fixed point. She orientates herself and soon realizes it is the other car which is moving. She sighs, in relief.<br /><br />When we are at a loss - and we do not know where truth is to be found, or even if it can be found - we must set our focus on Jesus. When chaos surrounds us, and "truth" is no where in sight, Jesus shines brightly. Only He can make a clearing where there is only darkness and fog.<br /><br />Christ is the compass for a lost world.<br /><br /><em>Thank you Lord for lighting the way - and showing us Truth.</em>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15064276870395216831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29831492.post-8098874764688712182007-10-31T19:12:00.000-07:002007-10-31T19:40:26.278-07:00To Be Commended By God AloneIn his letter to the Corinthians, Paul writes, "for it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends."<br /><br />It is one of the most dire temptations we face as christians (let alone, citizens of this world): wanting to receive approval of man over and above the approval of our Father in heaven.<br /><br />We too often see what praise "gives" to another person. Getting the attention and admiration of others, can land you in the White House, get you a better job, grant you more book sales, or make you popular. The desire for acceptance is a powerful drug and creates unwitting addicts.<br /><br />Its side effects are real. Compromise. Lack of courage. Pride.<br /><br />In Christ, we see One who primarily sought to please His Father, by his unashamed ability to confront sinners when others would have wilted - and love sinners would others would have hated. In Jesus, we find our ultimate example of one whom the Lord commended.<br /><br /><em>"Let us therefore, leaving off all other things, aim exclusively at this --- that we may be approved by God and may be satisfied to have His approbation alone, as it justly ought to be regarded by us as of more value than all the applauses of the whole world." John Calvin</em>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15064276870395216831noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29831492.post-61939478787987420122007-08-29T21:08:00.000-07:002007-08-29T21:12:59.142-07:00Trusting in the Creator - in all ThingsHere's an <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WT_WUOyud4">amazing video</a> of one man who has every reason to hate and distrust God - but has a sweet trust in his Savior.<br /><br />HT: <a href="http://potters-hand.blogspot.com/">RO</a>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15064276870395216831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29831492.post-86584699659941452942007-08-15T20:35:00.000-07:002007-08-19T18:47:19.862-07:00A Hate for GodThe man had lived much of his life in a dutiful devotion to God; attending church, helping out at Sunday School, participating in other outside church activities and outreaches. By all outward appearances, his was a life to be modeled.<br /><br />So it came as a big surprise to all, when - after years of dutiful submission - his life became a trainwreck as he dived into a waste-pit of sin.<br /><br />Graciously, God did not allow this man to live very long as a slave. He was eventually pulled out of the mud - more needy, and free.<br /><br />Asked why he plunged into a life of sin the restored and now broken man said, "I had lived my whole life for God, as if He needed me. I thought that if I did enough for God, He would in turn keep my life safe, but stay out of my way. It finally all came to a head after years of bitter disappointment in God for not meeting my expectations and for never having received 'proper' repayment of my 'dutiful' acts. I had finally come to the conclusion that I hated God - and I'd had enough."<br /><br />Such is the predicament for many dutiful Christians who flip their relationship with the Lord into a transaction, as if the Lord could be bought and manipulated to serve their purposes.<br /><br />We would do well to remember that it was our Lord and Savior who has done all the needed transactions and we remain - and forever will remain - the beneficiaries of them. We will never repay the Lord. Nor should we try. Our Christian lives will be lived well in a spirit of brokenness and thankfulness to the Giver. Always in thanksgiving for what He did on our behalf, rescuing us from a sure death. With that in view and with our hearts filled to overflowing in thanksgiving, we rejoice, giving praise to our Father - not out of duty - but out of broken-hearted sorrow and joyful submission to our King.<br /><br /><em>Who has ever given to God, that He should repay him?...for from Him, and through Him and to Him are all things. Lord, help us to keep our relationship with you always on the receiving end of your mercy and love. Your ways are altogether right and true. Your purposes more wise and sure than ours could ever hope to be. Lord, we are your children, desperately in need of You. </em>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15064276870395216831noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29831492.post-91070468937555193142007-08-05T20:06:00.000-07:002007-08-05T21:00:17.281-07:00Why We Trust in BridgesWhen was the last time you tried to find out if the bridge you are about to cross is structurally sound? Or, for that matter, asked to speak with its builders - to find out if they are trustworthy? Or, tried to find out the last time it had been inspected? Or tuned? (yes, bridges get "tuned")<br /><br />Why do we put such blind faith in a structure that is so important?<br /><br />I might assume that most people wouldn't consider their faith in a bridge to be blind. Many would likely give the following reasons for their confidence:<br /><br />"It has always been there"<br /><br />"It appears strong"<br /><br />"It held me the last time I went over it"<br /><br />"Bridges rarely collapse"<br /><br />All of these reasons, are experiential. Through repeated use and observation, a bridge proves its faithfulness.<br /><br />**********<br />In many respects, Jesus too has proven his trustworthiness.<br /><br />History presents all men and women everywhere with the personhood of Jesus Christ. We all are witnesses to Christ in the way the Bible speaks of his glory and life of Truth. Never has a life been lived like this one. There is something so intrinsically truthful and real about His life that it beckons us to follow and trust.<br /><br /><em>Lord, help our unbelieving hearts trust in you alone. Jesus, you are the atoning sacrifice that gives us access to your kingdom and prescence. It is through you alone we have a hope. You are the bridge over which - and in which we cross for sweet fellowship. You took the initiative. Thank you.</em>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15064276870395216831noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29831492.post-49352759657920610242007-07-23T18:49:00.000-07:002007-07-23T19:17:26.126-07:00True Story of Redemption<a href="http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=56487">Here's</a> a great story of redemption.<br /><br />HT: DOAaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15064276870395216831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29831492.post-46198053950689158702007-06-01T20:22:00.000-07:002007-06-01T21:16:48.034-07:00We Must SufferWriter and pastor, Dr. John Piper once told his parishoners (quoting a friend), "I have never learned anything about trusting God from the easy times, only from hard times."<br /><br />The mark of a freed christian is that he has come to the realization that it is not him who governs, or is soveriegn, or all-powerful. He has been brought low by the sweetness of purifying suffering and pain. He realizes that the void and want is large and profound within his soul and it cannot (and has not) been filled by anything in the world. All things and persons he has enjoyed only serve as echos to that void and cry out for something more meaningful, and more lasting.<br /><br />It is the true mark of a christian when - at last - he has come to the end of the road (himself) and says, "I'm threw with self-love, man-worshipping and idols - none have satisfied. Give me God."<br /><br />It is not surprising that the freed person in Christ has been brought to this realization through trial, pain or shortcoming. Suffering seems to be the most poignant reminder to our prideful hearts that we are not as "in control" and worthy of worship as our souls have led us to believe. The biggest killer of us all is not heart disease, but pride.<br /><br />Pride has a hard time maintaining its hold in our lives, when we are humbled. When, we lose a loved one. When we see the hated and scorned, turn on their perpetrators with love. When we experience a great fall, having risen so high. And when our "functional saviors" fail us, once again.<br /><br /><em>Lord, help us not to rebuke the sufferings you have ordained for us. But, help us to learn to lean more on you - and to depend on the one who will deliver us one day from all pain; and will turn all sadness into deep, void-filling joy.</em>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15064276870395216831noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29831492.post-86032944300890210422007-05-25T18:25:00.000-07:002007-05-25T18:30:45.272-07:00Crying for the LostJohn Fischer writes a great <a href="http://www.ctlibrary.com/41532">article</a> about the life/ministry of Francis Schaeffer and his "legacy of tears".<br /><br /><em>Lord, help us to weep for the lost. And then, move us to action, to help bring the blind to sight.</em>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15064276870395216831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29831492.post-88820312180584272772007-04-29T19:55:00.000-07:002007-04-29T20:14:40.672-07:00The Rightness of God's JudgmentIn his second inaugural address to the nation, Abraham Lincoln had the following words for his fellow countrymen - who were just coming out of a bloody and fierce Civil War:<br /><br />"Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."<br /><br />Pretty shocking stuff, coming from the President of the United States. In essence, Lincoln was assuming in his speech that the Civil War was a punishment to its people for treating one another as "less than" - or unequal.<br /><br />Lincoln knew the ugliness and vileness inherent in keeping another man in forced subjection. And how it violated the very nature of goodwill and benevolence which should be attributed to all men and woman; black/white/yellow/brown. He knew too - that God would not stand for such evil. And, went as far as to proclaim the war which ensued over its "rightness" as a judgment handed down from God to redeem the wrong which had been done.<br /><br /><em>Lord, help us to see your judgments as "altogether true and righteous". That may times your judgments - which seem harsh on the onset - end up redeeming and making things new again. You are the Great Redeemer!</em>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15064276870395216831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29831492.post-74400154617045961722007-04-18T20:13:00.000-07:002007-04-18T20:53:21.520-07:00Only God is Big EnoughThere is a story which originated from G.K. Chesterton that told of a father and his three children, ages 3, 6 and 9.<br /><br />One night, as he was going room-to-room putting his kids to bed, he told each - the same story.<br /><br />"...and then, I got up and walked to the door.." said the father, finishing up the tale to his 3-year-old.<br /><br />The boy's eyes were large and his mouth wide open.<br /><br />He finished up the story - and then walked into his 6-year-old daughter's room.<br /><br />"...and then, I got up and walked to the door.."<br /><br />The girls eyes were intently fixed on her father.<br /><br />"..and opened it..."<br /><br />"Oh no! Watch out!" the daughter exclaimed, terrified.<br /><br />He finished the story, tucked his daughter in bed and shut off the lights.<br /><br />Lastly, the father walked into his 9-year-olds bedroom and began to weave his tale.<br /><br />"...and then, I got up and walked to the door...and opened it..."<br /><br />The boy smiled.<br /><br />"...and behind the door...was...a lion!"<br /><br />The boy's eye lit up and his jaw dropped.<br /><br />"Oh, wow!" he exclaimed.<br /><br />**********************<br />Chesterton's aim of relaying this story was to make an important point: as we get older, our heart seems to need bigger and bigger things to fill it. No longer is it just fulfilled with the big blue ball rolling on the ground. It longs for something more profound.<br /><br />Our hearts were made to be in awe. And the only thing big enough to fill them is God.<br /><br /><em>"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!" May we find our joy in seeking Your endless depths and riches! Only You are big enough to fill our deepest longings, O God!</em>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15064276870395216831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29831492.post-66477252318095700042007-04-15T19:16:00.000-07:002007-04-15T19:45:15.925-07:00Freedom as a Covering for EvilPeter writes in his first letter of the Bible, "Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil.."<br /><br />Peter recognized that some free men would use their newfound freedom in Christ as a contriving tool for sin.<br /><br />Paul too writes about freedom obtained through Christ. In Romans, he writes that many might use their freedom as a means to sin and obtain even more grace (but objected by saying, "let it not be so!")<br /><br />Both Paul and Peter knew full well, of the endless appetite of the heart toward evil.<br /><br />Freedom in Christ does not give the Christian a license to self-gratify - but to sacrifice self for the good of others.<br /><br />Freedom in Christ does not give warrant to more self-love but to more radical love of others.<br /><br />Freedom in Christ does not provide cover for secret sins - but pushes for the expulsion of evil in the heart and a drive for the pursuit of righteousness.<br /><br />Let our lives echo Peter's words, "that by doing right, [we] may silence the ignorance of foolish men."<br /><br /><em>Lord, help us to live as free men. Free men who love and pursue righteousness. Who expose the evil that lies beneath - for the glory of your name - that none should stumble or be "lied to" by our lives lived out for you.</em>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15064276870395216831noreply@blogger.com0