Elom reflects on Scott's reflections: Free!

"So, if the Son sets you free, you will be be free indeed"
John 8:36

Alright, I am free! He saved me! But wait... what now? What do I do with this freedom He gave me?

I had a very interesting conversation with another 20 something Christian the other day, and we were both wondering how to lead a "normal" & Christian life with all the temptations around us. We both knew that we were saved, but does that give us the right to do anything we want? We were interrupted before we could reach a conclusion, but the conversation took an interesting turn when we both agreed that we needed to use caution when making certain decisions. For instance, I used to think that drinking to oblivion with my "friends" was the best way to spend my weekends. I really didn't need to be a Christian to realize how crazy that last statement was, all I needed was common sense...

For a while there, I didn't know what to do with my new found freedom. I knew I didn't want to return to my old ways, but I had no idea of what to do next... I didn't want to abuse it, or worse NOT use it at all! This all changed the first time I went to our food pantry one Thursday morning. I finally used my freedom, and became a servant... what a concept! Choosing to become a servant? Choosing to serve Him? To serve others? Something happened that Thursday morning, as I was washing plate, after plate, or simply listening to people. He has shown me several other ways to serve Him since that day, but I always refer to this experience to explain how I understood the meaning of freedom. I think King David described it best in Psalm 119:45

"I will walk in freedom for I have devoted myself to Your commandments"

EED

Thank you!

In case I forgot to tell you this recently, Thank you God!

Thank you for NEVER giving up on me, even when I am ready to give up
Thank you for comforting me,
Thank you for the people you have placed in my life,
Thank you for the people you have led out of my life,
Thank you for using me, and challenging me
Thank you for leading me by the hand, even when I try to break (un)free

Thank you God!

EED

I saw you!

Scene: after the service last weekend.

J: Hey! I saw your video the other day. You are a star!

Me: Me??? Are you sure? Did I ever tell you I have a twin sister? You must be talking about her...

J: You are in church! You can't lie! You'll get zapped!

Me*nervously looking up*: Oops... Sorry... all right, it was me...

How to tell my story?

I missed the first two "Just walk across the room" sessions for different reasons, but I was really glad I went to this one. The theme of this past session was "The Power of Story" or how to share my story with others. The following verse was used as an introduction:

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have" 1 Peter 3:15B

I am always glad to share my story of hope, but I think it is sometimes hard for people to relate to some of the things I have experienced. I am never sure of where to start, or how to turn my kind of sad story into a story of hope. I am not a big fan of the "Oh! You poor thing..." or the "Oh! Get over it already!" looks on people's faces.

We watched a video which listed the common mistakes people make when sharing their stories:

• long stories ("It all started when I was about 4 years old...")
• fuzzy stories ("I knew I was looking for something, I found that something...")
• superiority stories ("I have always led a righteous life, and I will pray for you to do the same..")
• religionese stories (lengthy discussions on the Kingdom, the rapture, the Tribulation...)
• weird God stories (dreams, visions, prophetic words, healing stories...)

We were invited to share our stories in groups of two and three BEFORE and AFTER watching the video. My story was closer to the weird God story. There are some experiences that I still can't explain, but using a weird God story might be a little unsettling for some people and might actually freak them out... My partner had a long story, which was really fascinating, but I probably would have tuned him out if he was trying to share his story in a different setting.

The point of the exercise was to learn to share my story by following these three simple steps: life before Christ- Christ- and life after Christ. Well, in my case, it is more about a reconnection story, than a conversion story, but the principle is the same. My story needs to brief, but interesting enough to catch the listener's attention, and invite questions.

Still working on it....

EED

Hungry...

I was recently described by a fellow blogger & Christ follower as "hungry for God". I like that. I feel like that sometimes. How do I find Him? How can learn more about Him? How can I hear what He has to say? I think He likes to poke me sometimes, and remind me not to look too far.

The most recent example is actually kind of funny... I was reading the Bible this past weekend, and became very irritated when my sister interrupted me to ask something. I kind of ignored her, grunted something back and kept reading. The VERY next verse I read was Isaiah 58:7. I just looked up, and started laughing uncontrollably! You really can't make that up!

EED

Math lesson

This high school memory is one my favorites.

Scene: senior year, math class with Mr. B, the meanest math teacher I have ever met (every year he would start a rumor that he would retire over the summer, but he always came back!). I had just finished solving a problem on the blackboard.

Mr. B: Are you done?

Me *nervously*: Yes...

Mr. B: Are you sure?

Me: Hmm... Yes....

Mr.B: Well, I want you to grab the eraser, and erase the last line... and the line before that... and the line before that... and the line before that... in fact, just erase everything, and go back to your seat. It's all wrong!!!!

My friends got a great laugh out of that at recess! I was embarrassed for a minute, but I laughed too, because I knew that Mr B. was mean to everyone.

Sometimes, that's really all I can do... look back at some the stuff I did, and just laugh about it!


EED

Not my will...

I had my entire weekend planned, to the most insignificant details... And wouldn't you know it, I have been a little sick all week.
Crazy Ohio weather + pollen = headaches + sore throat + dizziness and other fun stuff... at least I don't have a runny nose!
Feeling better today though, but again not my will, but Thy will.

EED