August 21st - Ain't that good news?

The story...

I've rebelled against being controlled, against my will, throughout my life.  The message of the grace of God was such welcome news to my ears.  It rang true and the resulting relationships have proved worthy within life's actualities.  Living rightly with God allows us to live in the present where real life and God has been and will be - the most adventurous and satisfying place to be.

My wife rode her bike across Iowa in the July-2023 RAGBRAI tour.  Her trip disrupted my normal routines and patterns; so I planned daily activities to stay busy.  Was there a better way?  Surely, I didn't want to merely be more active.  More importantly, I wanted to live in a present awareness walking more closely with God.  That included walking alongside other co-sojourners too.

"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery." Gal. 5:1 (NASB)   Might I drift back into the world of ongoing attempts of self development, justification, and glorification?  I trust that God will not allow me to stray that far.  Yet, it makes sense to pray for power against temptations to revert back to that self-serving-tyrant task master - self.

The only church in town will preach the good news - the gospel.  God proclaimed everyone can be rightly related to our most Holy, loving, and just Creator by the great work that He has performed in Christ.  Man - that's good news!

The Gospel - Ain't that good news?

Just for today...

"If I believe that it is hopeless to expect any improvement in my life, I am doubting the power of God . . . Never let me imagine that my satisfaction with life depends on what someone else may do."  One Day at a Time (p. 234)

"In my family, my parents were always telling me what to do. My response was usually angry compliance or rebellious refusal. Either way, I was reacting, not acting, and feeling controlled."  Hope for Today (p. 234)

"Forty days broken; Vine dresser pruned - Peacefully abided; Hope loomed."
"Emerged trusting; Him Who can - Loved me through; A better man."   Am I a Poet?