Freedom

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." [Galatians 5:1]

more to come...

what i miss about France...

1. The fresh-bread smell of bakeries in the morning
2. Juggling a soccer ball in the parc
3. Eating pastries with lunch
4. Bibou and French friends
5. Meeting in the centre-ville to relax after a long day
6. Fountains, bridges and cathedrals
7. Gelato (at least once a day)
8. Strange birds and dogs without leashes
9. Ordering the “Bon Plan” at La Mie Câline
10. Asking for directions in French
11. Cidre, Nutella et brioche
12. Sharing the gospel in multiple languages
13. Jambon et beure sandwiches
14. Drinking petit cafés sans sucre
15. Always being greeted with “Bonjour!” upon entering a store
16. Relaxing in the grass around the chateau
17. Schtroumpfs, crocodiles and Dragibus
18. Making new friends at Place Royale
19. Navigating French supermarkets
20. Medieval walled cities
21. Lavender macaroons, ginger gelato and banana flavored beer
22. Friday night soirées
23. Creperies, brasseries, papeteries, boulangeries, jardineries, chocolateries…
24. Weekend adventures to the beach
25. Late night meals of kebabs and frites
26. Worshipping in French and English
27. Trams, boats and trains
28. Surprise encounters with students swimming in the Loire
29. Living in France

story of my life...

(Verse 1)
I was born in Tennessee
Late July humidity
Doctor said I was lucky to be alive

I’ve been trouble since the day that I got here
Trouble till the day that I disappear
That’ll be the day that I finally get it right

(Chorus)
There is hope for me yet
Because God won’t forget
All the plans he’s made for me
I have to wait and see
He’s not finished with me yet

(Verse 2)
I never really was that good in school
I talked too much, broke the rules
Teacher thought I was hopeless fool alright

I don’t know how but I made it through
It’s one of those things that you’ve gotta do
But I always had a knack for telling the truth

(Chorus)

(Bridge)
Still wondering why I’m here
Still wrestling with my fear
But oh, He’s up to something
And the farther on I go
I’ve seen enough to know
That I’m, not here for nothing
He’s up to something

(Verse 3)
So now’s my time to be a man
Follow my heart as far as I can
No telling where I’m ending up tonight

I never slow down or so it seems
But singing my heart it’s one of my dreams
All I gotta do is hold on tight

(Chorus)

[Brandon Heath - Wait and See]

a few thoughts along the way...

The circular nature of Christianity can be hard to grasp at times. True, we often find ourselves treading familiar ground, but it is only that - familiar. Never the same. We continue to learn and re-learn spiritual truths but always at deeper and deeper levels. God's promises and His word will never change - it is us who continue to grow and be perfected.

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God's blessing resides in the old, not in the fearful avoidance of what is new
God's blessing resides in the new, not in the modern disdain of what is old

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Looking through the window of our plane at the fragile coastlines, I can't help but think: how can there even be land except that God allows it? Without His hand holding back the waters, all would be ocean...