"The Price of Freedom"

Freedom.  It is apparent that most people seem to think that freedom is actually "Free."  How do I know this, you ask?  Because on a daily basis I see how people use, misuse, and abuse their freedom.  But, when you think about that word it becomes painfully clear that we do not understand nor comprehend, the full meaning of the word.  I like to define words, so that there can be a complete clearification of it.  Then, there can be no mistaking as to whether the reader truly understands the meaning of the word, or not.  So, what is freedom?

Freedom=The state of being free or at liberty, rather than in confinement or under physical retraint.  Exemption or immunity from external control, interference or regulation.   The power to determine action without restraint.  Independence.  Free from bondage, slavery or serfdom. 

Freedom, independence or liberty  refer to an absence of undue restrictions and an opportunity to exercise one's rights and powers.  Freedom  emphasizes the opportunity given for the freedom of speech or conscience; freedom of movement.  Independence implies not only lack of restrictions but also the ability to stand alone, unsustained by anything else: Independence of thought promotes invention and discovery.  Liberty, though most often interchanged with freedom,  is also used to imply undue exercise of freedom: (Encyclopedia britannica).

In humans, the power or capacity to choose among alternatives or to act in certain situations independently of natural, social, or divine restraints. In theology, the existence of free will must be reconciled with God's omniscience and goodness (in allowing man to choose badly), and with divine grace, which is reputedly necessary for any meritorious act.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. 

Word Dynamo 

Freedom, however, is NOT the right to physically, verbally or mentally abuse another.  Freedom does NOT give one the right to act out, or act inappropriately, for ANY reason.  Freedom also does NOT give a person to act irresponsibly, or to draw others into their situations, schemes or perversions.  Freedom does NOT give one the right to do WHATEVER they think it is they want to do, without thought of reprocussions or the fact that they may hurt someone else in the process.

 

Freedom is a gift.  It is not something that was easily attained.  Someone had to pay the price, and is yet paying the price for our freedom.  Someone died for our freedom.  There are literally thousands and thousands of our men and women, young and old and everything in between, that are right now, paying the price for our freedom.  And with that freedom and those rights, we must understand that responsibilities come.  We MUST begin to think about more than just ourselves and our right to be, or say or do.  Remember, words are binding, acts are irreversable, and what we to chose become will last a lifetime.  Many times there are no take backs.  They very well may be our right, but in doing so what damage, grief or harm will it cause to come to others, just because we have the right.  Should we?  Think about it.

 

Let us know what you think.

"Just Speak Life"

I was thinking about something interesting this weekend while I sitting at UDF (United Dairy Farmer's).  I love their ice cream.  Well anyway, when I first got there, there was only 1 car sitting in the parking lot.  But after I went in, and by the time my son and I had ordered our ice cream, the entire store was crowded.  People buying everthing, from milk to coffee, beer to chips.  EVERYTHING.  We went outside and most of the parking spaces were now taken, and more cars were pulling up as we pulled out.  Now, you may think that this was just something that was normal and happens all of the time; after all, it is a store, right?  Well, let me explain to you exactly what I KNOW happened. 

I happen to believe in the power of the tongue; you know, the power of positive speaking or walking and living by faith.  I believe with all of my heart that words have life, and that what you speak forth out of your mouth, will eventually but inevitably bring something to pass.  Either death or life.  Unfortunately, I also believe that there is negative speaking, belief or faith, just as there is positive speaking belief or faith.  I believe that you can chose to create and control your own atmosphere, thus changing and altering the circumstances or the temperature of your day just by speaking positive or negative things.  For example, I've found that EVERYTIME I would say that I was broke, that guess what?  I was broke.  I would literally not have 2 nickles in my pocket to rub together.  But when I started declaring that I was not broke, that my assests were just not liquid at that time, then I never went a day when there was not SOMETHING in my pocket.  When I would audibly declare that my day was going great, that I was well and not sick, I literally would have a great day, and would not get sick, not even with a cold, EVER!  But then, when I would say my kids are bad, or call them little knuckle heads, whether they heard me or not, something would happen at home or at school that would manifest my words.  EVERYTIME!  And it was all controlled by what I allowed to come out of my mouth. 

Now let's get back to UDF.  A few years ago, I decided to "Take The Business" everywhere I go.  So every business that I frequented and enjoyed, I would declare as I pulled into the parking lot, "I Bring the Business With Me!"  And wouldn't you know it, even if mine were the ONLY car that had pulled up either to the dine in, drive through, the post office or to go into a grocery or shoe store to shop, it doesn't matter, everywhere, the results are ALWAYS the same.  At first when it started happening, my children thought that I was just a tiny bit crazy.  They would laugh and make little weird sounds, like I was a nut ball or something.  But then, when they saw it continued to happen, and STILL HAPPENS, that EVERYTIME, we went somewhere or go somewhere, we may be the only one in line or there may be 1 car in front of us, and suddenly one of the kids would say, "Mom, look behind us."  And sure enough, we would look behind us and literally, a long line of cars would be behind us.  Once my daughter counted 12 cars that had pulled in behind us, and were all the way out to the street.  I simply turned back around, smile and say, "That's because I bring the business with me, and this business is blessed, just for my being here."  Now they believe me, because it happens so much.  Just because I have chosen to speak forth the blessings of God as I go, EVERYWHERE I go. 

Now,  tell me something that has happened to you, as you have chosen to  proclaim and speak forth the blessings of God, and goodness for you or someone else's day.  How have you changed your day, or reshaped your future?  What have you spoken life to and it has prospered or increased?  Or what have you spoken life to that you need to go back and take back or recall? 

We want to, and we are listening.

"Sweet Dreams Are Made of These"

And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison.6 And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad.7 And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were with him in the ward of his lord's house, saying, Wherefore look ye so sadly to day?s8 And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.  Genesis 40:5-8.

Dreams.  According to Wikipedia, dreams are defined as, a succession of images, ideas, emotions and sensations that occur involuntarily in the mind during certain stages of sleep.  The content and purpose of dreams are not definitively understood, though they have been a topic of scientific speculation, as well as a subject of philosophical and religious interest, throughout recorded history.

Dreams can last for a few seconds, or as long as twenty minutes, but may in fact seem like they have lasted for the entire night. People are more likely to remember the dream if they are awakened during the REM phase. The average person has about 3 to 5 dreams per night, but some may have up to 7 dreams in one night. The dreams tend to last longer as the night progresses. During a full 8-hour night sleep, two hours of it is spent dreaming.

Dreams range from normal and ordinary to overly surreal and bizarre. Dreams can have varying natures, such as frightening, exciting, magical, melancholic, adventurous, or sexual. The events in dreams are generally outside the control of the dreamer, with the exception of lucid dreaming, where the dreamer is self-aware or actually slightly aware of what is being dreamed. Dreams can at times make a creative thought occur to the person or give a sense of inspiration.  People with vivid and significant dreams were thought blessed and were considered special. In ancient times, they thought that the best way to receive divine revelation was through dreaming and thus they would induce (or "incubate") dreams.  Dreams that are most memorable with specific colors, sights, sounds, feelings and taste generally are of some great significance. 

Throughout the centuries dreams have been studied and the meaning of dreams are sought after sometimes to the extreme.  People dream, and want to know what the meaing of their dreams are.  Everybody wants to know what their dreams mean.  Dreams also sustain us, and help to get us through life, and to our purpose and destiny in life.  Sweet  dreams are made of these.  With these thoughts in mind, tell us of a dream that you have had or of your dream period.  We'd like to know.

Now, tell us.  We're listening.

"Bending the Rules"

Bishop T.D. Jakes said in one of his messages recently, that division comes from the lack of one vision.   Rules are put in place to keep us in order.  Barriers and order are important to the dismissal of chaos.  Barriers are good for us and for others.  That being said, why are so many of us rebels without a cause?  We bend the rules just enough to say that we are obeying them, but not enough to really be in truth.  We blend in, become chameleons taking on the characteristics of those we hang out with.  Adapting to our surroundings, so that we won't be looked upon as being weird or different or strange.  We are out of order.  Just like the sign on a bathroom door in a public restroom.  Unable to be used. 

Order, or disorder is a learned behavior.  It is also a choice.  And it stands to reason, that if you love someone, you teach them to retrain themselves, and harness their spirits, least a great harm come upon them that maybe we can't fix.  Because a man or woman, or boy or girl, who can not control or rule his own spirit will ultimately be OUT of control in every area of his life.  His/their homelife will be out of control.  His/their mind will be doubleminded.  His/their sex drive will be out of control.  And he/they will be unstable in all of his ways.  But a man that can rule his spirit, can rule the world.  We life in a world were we allow ourselves to be governed by our emotions.  We cast reason, rule and order to the wind, and allow ourselves to be consumed in whatever the passion of the moment is.  The one that is ruling your spirit at that moment.  We become frivolous  uncaring, and careless of the consequences that will occur from the action that we have chosen....Until we crash and come to the end of ourselves.   It is then, and only then, that we remember.  There were rules.  We had rules.  And then we start to ask the questions.  What were the rules?  What order should I have done this in?  Why should I have controlled myself or my emotions again?  And why is it again that I should have watched or guarded my spirit.  Oh yeah.  THAT was why.  That WAS there for a reason.  I remember now.   I shoulda listened.  I coulda avoided all of this.  I woulda done this differently if I thought first.   Is it too late to change what Iv'e done?  Can I take back what Iv'e said?  Can the damage that I've don be undone?  Will it ever get better again?  How could I have let this happen?  Can I fix this? 

Rules and order was established by God from the beginning.  He set forth rules or laws to govern us, to protect us and to keep us from killing each other and our nutty little selves.  Once we realize the order of God, and begin to bring our lives to order, follow his laws or rules that He has given us to live by, we will see our whole entire world  begin to be re-shaped, re-formed and transformed into something so awesome, so beautiful, and so incredible that you won't even be able to believe it your self.  Your lives will begin to unfold and bloom as you become single-minded, intentional and purposeful in everything that we say and do; every decision that you make; considering the purpose and the plan that God has for your lives.  You will begin to realize and understand the greater purpose that has been purposed for you in your life.  You will begin to walk in dignity and integrity and authority.  And you will begin to purposfully fulfill the destiny that will transfrom your life into the greatness that you are to become.
So here is your question.

How can you stop all the rule and law breaking, get past all of the shoulda, woulda, coulda's in your life, and begin to move forward to that prophetic destiny that has been purposed for your life?

Simple,

Now, tell us what you have to say.